Public Housing

The Chicago Housing Authority is the third largest public housing agency in the nation. CHA serves more than 20,000 low-income households, by providing safe, decent and affordable housing in healthy, vibrant communities. Public housing provides homes for families, the elderly and those with disabilities from scattered single family houses to apartments for elderly families. The CHA is 88 percent complete in a comprehensive, historic overhaul of 25,000 public housing units, providing residents a firm foundation on their road to self-sufficiency.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) will no longer accept paper applications for the senior housing program.  All applicants will be required to apply for senior housing online at www.thecha.org (click ‘Apply Now’).   For assistance, please visit any senior housing property (click here for locations) or CHA’s corporate office at 60 E. Van Buren (60605).  

Please Note:  CHA will not process paper applications received after December 31, 2017.

 

FAMILY PROPERTIES

CHA provides just fewer than 7,000 units in 14 Family public housing properties. Many of CHA’s traditional family properties were built during or after World War II as affordable and work force housing options for returning war veterans and their families.  The properties include iconic buildings with historically significant architectural features.  Many of those original structures remain but have been renovated and modernized through The Plan for Transformation and Plan Forward. Recent improvements include new plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling systems, new bathrooms, new kitchens, improved landscaping, and other structural and cosmetic repairs. 

To learn more about CHA’s Family properties and eligibility requirements click here. 

 

SENIOR PROPERTIES

CHA has nearly 9,000 Senior units in 43 properties throughout Chicago. Most CHA Senior buildings have been rehabilitated with new kitchens, new bathrooms, upgraded heating/cooling systems, sprinkler systems, and many fire safety features that accommodate the needs of older residents. The properties offer breathtaking city views and age-targeted amenities such as recreation rooms, scheduled activities and services, and 24-hour on-site maintenance.

To learn more about CHA’s Senior properties and eligibility requirements click here.

Apply for Senior Housing here.

To view average wait times at CHA Senior properties, click here. 

SCATTERED SITE PROPERTIES

CHA’s Scattered Site properties consist of nearly 2,800 public housing units scattered individually or in small groups throughout Chicago’s 77 communities and diverse housing populations.  Scattered site units offer a variety of housing options including homes in newer construction condominium buildings, single family detached homes, and within market rate rental developments.

To learn more about CHA's Scattered Site properties and eligibility requirements, click here.

 

MIXED-INCOME PROPERTIES

Mixed-income housing developments are comprised of housing with various levels of affordability, including market-rate and affordable housing within the same property.  Mixed income properties contribute to the long term CHA goal of decentralizing public housing and providing more opportunities for public housing residents to transition to self-sufficiency.

To learn more about CHA’s Mixed-Income properties and eligibility requirements click here.

 

HOW TO APPLY

All CHA public housing vacancies are leased to randomly selected applicants from CHA’s waitlist. 
 
The registration and waitlist process occurs as follows:

• Registrations are accepted during scheduled waitlist openings and are in included in a lottery.
• A designated number of names are randomly selected during the lottery and placed on the waitlist.
• As vacancies occur, waitlist applicants are contacted and further screened for housing opportunities.

To learn more about how to apply and frequently asked questions regarding the waitlist click here.